We wouldn't miss presidential primaries

Michigan's presidential primary is set for Feb. 24, 2004, and both parties are making noises that they'd like to drop them. We'd agree, especially if the parties want Michigan taxpayers to pay for it.

The state pays for the contests, and in the case of the recent budget shortfalls it would be nice to save that $6 to $8 million.

The Democratic party, after 1992, has gone to a caucus system, basically doing a run-around of the primary because of what they say are national party rules.

Since Michigan voters don't have to declare a party, the national party doesn't like Michigan's open system, as they can't control the voters picking delegates. So the state party came up with a caucus system that's not particularly user friendly. Basically, party stalwarts are the only ones who vote.

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And the Republicans weren't real happy after the last primary, when John McCain took a 51-43 percent win over George Bush. Party leaders blamed crossover Democrats and independents for spoiling their party - nearly all the top leadership in the GOP supported Bush.

Our beef in the past has been that if we as taxpayers were paying for the primary, we should be able to vote for whomever we'd like, be it Republican or Democrat. If we can't, have the parties pay for their own primary.